Council Rethinks Position

Nn Considers Skateboard Site

NEWPORT NEWS — City officials appear to be softening their position against creating a public skateboard ramp, although skateboarders shouldn't be doing any flips just yet.

As of Tuesday, two City Council members are on record in support of building one or two ramps if it's not too costly. And others on the council want to explore the idea again.

In his campaign for office last year, Councilman William E. Fitzgerald said the city should build public skateboard ramps to give kids somewhere off the street to practice their sport.

City Manager Edgar E. Maroney strongly recommended against the idea because of cost, safety and potential liability. Other council members heeded that advice and the idea was all but dropped.

But recent events, including Hampton's decision to build a public ramp and controversy over a much-publicized backyard ramp in Newport News that is creating a noise problem for neighbors, have persuaded officials that the proposal is at least worth a second look.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councilwoman Flora D. Crittenden presented a recommendation from the city's Transportation Safety Commission for two public ramps: one in the East End and one in Denbigh. Crittenden said she endorses the group's suggestion and wants Maroney to at least investigate it further.

Again, Maroney expressed concerns about the idea, although he acknowledged that he realizes how popular the sport has become. He said he has been impressed with the skateboarding competition he has seen on television.

Vice Mayor Joe S. Frank told Maroney he sensed "you may be moving a little bit on this and I think some of the rest of us are as well."

Maroney said he will prepare a report for the council.

In other business, the council:

* Adopted a program that will allow eligible city employees to retire earlier than they planned without losing pension.

Maroney expects the measure to save the city more than $200,000 a year because some high-paid employees would retire and be replaced by people with lower salaries.

The plan will allow anyone with 25 years of service or 60 years old - 55 for police and fire employees - to receive an extra three years' credit toward their pensions if they choose to retire rather than continue working. Council members stressed the program is voluntary.

* Banned the discharge of any type of firearm within city limits except in designated firing ranges or shooting areas. The existing law bans firing of rifles but did not include handguns, air guns or spring guns.

No citizens spoke on the topic, and the council passed it without discussion.

* Postponed action on a "conditional zoning" law that would allow developers to offer the city property or cash to pay for off-site improvements as an incentive to having their project approved. Council members wanted to give developers more time to study the proposal.